Kenya’s Changawa eyes Novak, Nadal, Federer US Open draw

Local sensation Ismael Changawa is using the Kenya Open to train training for the US Open Gland Slam in August.

Organizers of the Flushing Meadows event awarded the United States-based Changawa the wildcard due to exemplary performance during the recently ended collegiate tournaments.

“I was number one in the USA college games, the facilitators of the event texted me saying I’m a good player and therefore handed me an opportunity to play in the US Open.

“It will be a great chance to play against the top ranked tennis players in the world like Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal,” Changawa told Citizen Digital at Nairobi Sports Club.

Changawa, who studies at Seminole State College in Oklahoma, plans to train in Mombasa for three weeks from earlier August before flying for the world competition.

The two-time Kenya open winner in 2014 and 2015 is hoping to complete the hat-trick this term and the top seed begins his campaign against compatriot Amos Mbuki on Tuesday.

In Monday results, men singles, unseeded Kenyan Albert Njogu upset sixth seed Ugandan Simon Ayelle in 3-6, 6-3 and 7-5 to qualify for the second round.

In ladies singles, Lydia Kaparo proceeded to second around without play thanks to a walkover that was handed after her rival Elvis Khawatenga failed to honour the match.

Second seeded Ugandan Duncan Mugabe easily qualified to the next stage after winning 6-3 and 6-0 over Kenyan Ronny Ndinga.

The event began on Saturday at Nairobi Sports club and ends Friday with over 100 players in different categories from the East African region fighting to claim a share of KSh1.25 million prize money.

Tennis Kenya has also included the wheelchair category with the team having lined up singles and doubles teams for both sexes.

Edward Mokuah